Taffy Terrors

Intro

Now that Mister Bellamy has talked himself out of the Toon we are once again Taffy-free.

Here is a team from the valleys who were either born in the Land of the Daffodils or played for the Welsh bretheren via leek growing parentage.

Goalkeeper

Dave Hollins - Bangor [App:121 Gls: 0 - 1961 - 1967]

Arrived arrived from Brighton as United were shipping goals in their titanic sinking of 1961. Played in the last nine games of the season, conceding 19 goals; six of them on his home debut.

Was first choice for a couple of seasons until he became embroiled in a dispute over wages and was dropped in 1963. Stayed for another four years but rarely played in the first team again.Won eleven caps whilst at the club whilst brother John was somehow capped by England!.

Right Back

Alan Davies - Manchester [App:22/2 Gls: 1 - 1985 - 1987]

Jack Charlton's last signing; Welsh international Davies (capped once while at United) arrived from Manchester United where his early promise had somewhat faded.

Shipped out on loan a couple of times before being allowed to go to Swansea on a free.

Left Back

Thomas Evans - Maerdy [App:13 Gls: 1 - 1927 - 1929]

Evans was signed from Clapton Orient for £3,650 but a terrible run of injuries restricted him to 13 appearences over two seasons. When he did play he was the target of the boo boys. Was United's first Welsh international; winning 1 cap in his time on Tyneside.

Centre Back

Alwyn Burton - Chepstow [App:215/9 Gls: 8 - 1963 - 1973]

Ollie was a big money signing in 1963 when he cost £37,500 from Norwich. From Chepstow he spoke like he belonged with the racing - rather than the football - fraternity.

He was plagued by injuries and as a result was rarely a permanent fixture in the side. Transfer listed during the promotion season of 1964/65, but resurrected his career on Tyneside during the 1967/68 and 1968/69 seasons. Won 7 caps during his stay on Tyneside.

Midfield

William Hughes - Rhyl [App: 1 Gls: - 0 - 1908-1910 ]

The right-half from Rhyl was the first ever Welshman on United's books when he was signed from the local United in March 1908. He only got one game - a 2-0 reverse at Goodison Park and gained greater local prestige as the coxswain of the local lifeboat than he ever did on the Tyne

Gary Speed - Mancot[App: 276/9 Gls: - 40 - 1998-2004 ]

Struggled for acceptance among the Geordie faithful after his big money arrival from Merseyside. But gradually won them over, stayed for 6 seasons and ended up with more appearences than any other Welshman in our history.

Kevin Sheedy - Builth Wells [App:42/2 Gls: 5 - 1992 - 1993]

One of King Kev's first signings as he attempted - successfully - to stave off relegation to the Third Division. He stayed to play a major part in United's promotion the following season before leaving to join Blackpool on a free.

Sheedy is the most famous son of this ancient Powys market town, but was capped by Ireland as he had an Irish father.

Attack

Ronald Wyn Davies - Caernarfon - [App:216 Gls: 53 - 1966 - 1971]

One of Wales' most favourite sons (winning 34 Wesh caps in all) The Welsh Flier hailed from the home of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers and his own personal style of aeriel bombardment certainly rattled a few continentals during United's Fairs Cup escapades.

Wor top scoring Welshman; just beating Allchurch and Davies.

Ivor Allchurch - Swansea - [App:154 Gls: 51 - 1958 - 1962]

A winner of 68 Welsh caps (14 while at Newcastle) Ivor was one of the finest inside forwards during the Post War Period. He was known as the "Golden Boy" not just because of his sublime skills, but also because he was a true gentleman both on and off the pitch.

Unfortunate to join United in a period of decline and returned to his roots in four years after joining.

Reg Davies - Cymmer [App:170 Gls: 50 - 1951 - 1958]

Inside forward Davies made a decent number of appearences for United despte never really establishing himself in the first team. Was in line to play in the 1955 FA Cup Final but missed out due to a dose of tonsilitis.

Won six caps while in Toon.

Craig Bellamy - Cardiff [App: 119/9 Gls:42 - 2001-2005]

There are many Welsh sayings on this excellent site ; many of which seem apt for the Touretting Taffy. He always seems to want to have "asgwrn i'w Grafu" [a bone to scratch] and always has a "Chwilen yn ei phen" [beetle in his head] about something.

Many have suggested he is "Dim Llawn Llathen" [not a full yard] and guilty of Malu Awyr [mincing talk] and certainly he "Uchel ei Gloch" [loud his bell].

As a result Souness was not "Dros ben Llestri" [over the top of the dishes] in demanding that he did not "Tywyllu Drws" [darken the door] of St James' again.

Subs

Martin Thomas - Senghenydd[App:118 Gls: 0 - 1983 - 1988]

Thomas hailed from the mining village of Senghenydd which suffered two terrible pit disasters in the early C20th which cost the lives of over 500 men.

The lycra loving Thomas vyed for the Number 1 shirt with Kevin Carr during the mid eighties. Full capped once by his country his progress at United was blighted by a number of injuries.

Malcolm Allen - Deiniolen[App:12/1 Gls: 7 - 1993 - 1995]

From Gwynned in North Wales Allen was a surprise capture from Millwall as Keegan looked to bolster his squad for the club's upcoming debut season in the Premiership.

After an excellent start as a replacement for the "Ruddocked" Beardsley he suffered a bad ligament injury that kept him out of action for almost twelve months. On his return he found that he was now surplus to requirements.

Paul Bodin - Cardiff [App:6 Gls: 0 - 1991 - 1992]

Ossie Ardilles signed Welsh international left-back Bodin on loan from Crystal Palace as he tried to mine for new talent in an effort to polish up his fading diamond.

Stayed for six weeks in which he put in some decent performances, but was not offered a permanent contract. Probably because the coffers had been emptied by the share war.

Billy Foulkes - Merthyr Tydfil [App:68 Gls: 9 - 1951 - 1954]

At £11,500 the short and stocky inside forward was an expensive signing. He appeared in every match during the 1951/52 Cup run, but never managed to win a regular place in the side after that. Won 11 caps whilst on Tyneside.

Ken Leek - Ynys y bwl [App:14 Gls: 6 - 1961 - 1961]

Charlie Mitten splashed out £25,000 on Pontypridd centre-forward Leek but despite a decent goal return he was soon sold on to Birmingham.

George Lowrie - Tonypandy [App:12 Gls: 5 - 1948 - 1949]

Centre-forward Lowrie was United's record transfer at the time (£18,500); indeed it was the third highest transfer fee in the country when he joined United in their push out of the Second Division.

He took over from rookie centre-forward Milburn but was dropped after only netting once in five games. Injured at the start of the following season he lost his place in the side to George Robledo and was sold to Bristol City at an £8,500 loss.

Ronald Williams - Llansamlet [App:36 Gls: 14 - 1933 - 1935]

Yet another centre-forward he arrived from his hometown club Swansea Town for £1,500 with United struggling in 20th. He made a dramatic impact; scoring ten goals in his first ten matches including hat-tricks in the famous victories over Liverpool (9-2)and Everton (7-3).

United moved into table but the team contrued to struggle and were eventually relegated. He was used sparingly in the following season and left for Chester.

Glyn Hodges - Streatham [App:7 Gls: 0 - 1987 - 1987]

A £300,000 buy from Wimbledon, Hodges lasted even less time on Tyneside, 86 days to be precise. Subbed twice in succession, he fell out with manager Mcfaul who got his money back from Watford. Still managed one cap in that time.